HOUSTON,
Bethel OK's plan for solar power farm
BETHEL -- Town officials took another step toward reducing energy costs, giving the go-ahead to an energy company to draw up a plan for a solar-power farm at the abandoned town landfill.
The Board of Selectmen has given Ameresco, exclusive right to build the solar farm. There is no dollar figure on the cost of creating a field of solar panels at the landfill, but the ultimate cost will be paid from the town's energy savings. First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker proposed a solar farm at the land fill 31/2 years ago, but the state law would not allow a third party to do the work and share the savings with the town. That law has been changed, opening the door for the Framingham, Mass.-based Ameresco to do the work. "I'm happy we are taking this step," Knickerbocker said. CLICK ON TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
The Golden Age of Gas, Possibly
The potential for a golden age of gas comes along with a big "if" regarding environmental and social impact. The International Energy Agency (IEA)—the "global energy authority" --believes that this age of gas can be golden, and that unconventional gas can be produced in an environmentally acceptable way. In an exclusive interview with Oilprice.com, IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven CLICK ON TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
Deal for work on city intersections do for a vote
Pfizer demolition underway in Groton
Deal for work on city intersections do for a vote
BRISTOL — City councilors are expected today to approve a $1.58 million contract with Dayton Construction Co. of Watertown to realign the busy intersections of South, Union and Church streets.
The goal is to help traffic flow more freely and avoid rush hour tie-ups, officials said. The project, scheduled to begin in the spring, will straighten out the jagged intersection, replace traffic signals and improve drainage. Dayton Construction’s bid was the lowest of 15 received, said city Purchasing Agent Roger Rousseau. A deal between the city and the state Department of Transportation requires the state to pay 90 percent of the expected $1.98 million price tag. The city will have to cover the rest. The state has to approve Dayton as well, but Rousseau said the company has successfully done other intersection work for the DOT, so he doesn’t anticipate any hitches. CLICK ON TITLE TO CONTINUE READINGPfizer demolition underway in Groton
Sean D. Elliot/The Day
A crane demolishes building 118 at Pfizer Inc.'s campus in Groton Monday. The pharmaceutical giant is tearing down the building in its sprawling research headquarters off Eastern Point Road after some unsuccessful efforts to create a plan to reuse it for economic development.
As Dan Esty departs his position as Connecticut's top energy and environmental officer, he says it's important his successors continue to push for new energy infrastructure throughout New England.
"I wish I had gotten that further down the track," Esty said. "I have worked hard over the last three years to get the New England governors to come together." Connecticut and the rest of New England suffer from a lack of electric transmission and natural gas pipelines, a key reason the region's energy prices are higher than the rest of the nation, save for Alaska and Hawaii. In December, the six New England governors announced a new partnership designed to make the pathways to transmission construction and pipeline expansions easier. Esty said keeping that momentum going for the next several years will have lasting impact on energy costs. CLICK ON TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
"I wish I had gotten that further down the track," Esty said. "I have worked hard over the last three years to get the New England governors to come together." Connecticut and the rest of New England suffer from a lack of electric transmission and natural gas pipelines, a key reason the region's energy prices are higher than the rest of the nation, save for Alaska and Hawaii. In December, the six New England governors announced a new partnership designed to make the pathways to transmission construction and pipeline expansions easier. Esty said keeping that momentum going for the next several years will have lasting impact on energy costs. CLICK ON TITLE TO CONTINUE READING